Turbo transmission



March 9,4 J, JANDASEK TURBO TRANSMISSION Filed May 24, 1940 2 Sheets-Shea?I lv INVNTOR sfpH JAA/0955K M 4444 ATTO EY' March 9, 1943. -JANDASEK TURBO TRANSMISSION Filed. May 24, 1940 2 sheets-'sheet 2 VII/147111411111171 JOBEPH L/QNDQSEK um #@h ATT RNEY.

Pateted Mar. 9, 1.943 I TURBO 'rRANsMrs-sroN Joseph Jandasek, Detroit, Mich., assgnor to Bendix Aviation Corporation, South Bend, Ind., a

corporation of Delaware Application May 24, 1940, Serial No. 337,036

(Cl. 1ER-3.2)

` 11 claims.

This invention relates to a rotary apparatus for the transmission of power of the type `comprising a passage for uid including a pump impeller turbine runners and a guide wheel.

` This invention provides a high speed rotary mechanism for thetransmission of power by means of a fluid at varying speeds such that from any applied driving speed and torque a driven speed and torque are obtained of which the torque varies automatically as the load and speed varies inversely to the torque, the efficiency being` high throughout the whole range of speeds,-

owing to infinite number of inclinations of the driving,'driven and stationary vanes at all speeds and loads.

In order to improve the speed range, pivoted vanes for the blade wheels are employed. The

vanes are automatically and continuously ,(not" step by step) adjustable under the inuence of the fluid. The blade wheels are also provided streamlines for the main vanes, to obtain orderly flow between the main vanes to reduce the number of the main vanes and to reduce the thickness of the main vanes. The best eillciency of the apparatus is when gearing ratio is about 1: 1.

The main object of my invention is to maintain .20. with a series of vanes; auxiliary vanes to rectify` scope of the invention, reference being had for that purpose to the subjoined claims.

In the drawings wherein similar reference l characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views: V

f Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a turbo transmission of a'two-stage type; Fig. 2 represents a vane operated clutch for the Y device;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of, a modified form of controls for a direct drive clutch;

Fig. 44 is a diagrammatical view illustrating movements of vane;

Fig. 5 shows another turbo with \a two-speed `guide wheel;

Fig; 6 is a longitudinal section through a turbo combined with aplanetary gear transmission.

Before explaining inldetail the present invention, it' is to be understood that; the invention is not limited in its ,application to the detailsof construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being the eiliency of the torque converter constantly high, especially at high speeds, by continuously adjustable vanes and by means of inserted. aux-` iliary rectifying vanes. s

Another object of my invention is toprovide a new combination oi the iiuid ,torque converter with a reverse gear and to providea quick and positive method for shifting into forward or reverse by providing a shifting unit :equipped with a turbo clutch mechanism.

practiced or carried out in various ways. Also -it is toA be understood that the phraseoiogy or terminology'employed herein is for the purpose of description a d not of limitation, and it is not intended to lim t the invention claimed herein beyond thefrequirements of the prior art. y

Referring to the drawings for more specific de-v tails of the invention, Figs. 1, 2, 3 illustrate a turbo transmission particularly adaptedfor use with a motor vehicle having a power plant equipped with'an intake manifold." The turbo- To attain these and otherobjects, the nnpeiler,

the runner, and the guide wheel are provided withkspring vanes made to turn on their pivots and so as to provide substantially correct entrance angles for every speed, the vanes being adjustably rotatable on their-pivots by means ofA the iluid and bygcentrifugal force. I have used several sets 'of vanes of hydrofoil shape each set having its number, length, pitch, radial height, etc. correctly determined for the best efliciency and ac'-l cording to amount of deflection of iluid necessary 1 in each particular set. 's

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed de- V,scription considered in connection with the. ac-

companying drawings, submitted foilpurposes of illustration only, and not'intended to deiinethe transmission has a drivefvshaft Il) carrying a disc I2 connected to another disc I4 on a shaft I6' as by. a cylindrical section I8 so as to provide a housing 20 intermediate thel'shafts. The shaft IB is provided with primary means for energizing uid." One desirable l:form of such' fluid energizing means comprises a one-stage impeller 22 keyedto the shaft I6 hasvanes 24 and 26v of substantially the same structure as disclosed in my'co-pending application Serial Nou337,037,

filed May 24, v1940.

A driven shaft 28, is provided with Asecondary means for absorbing energy from the fluid. One suitable form of energy absorbing means includes a two-stage turbine 30. The first'stage is provided with vanes 32' and 34 and the second stage is provided with .vanes `36 and 38 of similar structue to -any one of .the various types of vanes disclosed in my co-pending applicationvherein'- abovereferred to.. A rotatable guide wheel 40 supported on the shafts I6 and 28 has two sets `pling the primary and secondary means.

of vanes including pivoted entrance vanes 42 of semifree type, limited in movement by stops 44. The vanes 42 are connected in series by a movable ring 46 and discharge vanes 48 connected in series by a movable ring 50 of substantially the type as disclosed in my cci-pending application. Suitable balance weights 52 are provided for movement of the vanes 48 by centrifugal force due to high speed, into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 in which position the vanes function as driving vanes, while at lower speeds the vanes are moved on their shafts 49 into the position shown in full lines by suitable return springs 54 and function as -guide vanes.

One or'moreof the entrance vanes 42 controls a connection between guide Wheel 40 and a stationary housing 56. As shown, one of the vanes 42 is mounted on a. shaft 58 carrying cranks 60 and B2 having thereon connecting rods 64 and 66, one of which, the rod 66, is weighted as at 10. The rods are loosely supported by guides 12 and '14, integral with guide whee140. A spring 16 interposed between the guide 'I4 and a collar 18 on the rod 66 normally holds the rod 66 from engagementwith a slot 80 in a hub 82 on the stationary housing 56.

At low speeds and heavy loads, however, fluid will deflect vane 42 as shown diagrammatically in the direction of vthe arrow in'Fig. 2. This moves the rod 66 into the slots 80 and results in -connecting the guide wheel 42 to the stationary housing 56 so that the guide wheel may create` reaction and increase the turning moment of fluid at heavy loads. At high speeds and light loads, when torque increase is not required, the vane 42 and the spring 18 overcome the` friction is transmitted to the lever, and a rod ||2 connects the lever to a double valve ||4 for actuation by the lever.

This valve is provided with a relief port IIB and is connected in a fluid pressure delivery pipe I I8 supplied from a suitable source of uid under pressure, preferably by a pump |20 driven by an engine with a relief valve |22 interposed. The rod or stem I I 2 of the valve has thereon a spring |24 interposed between the lever |04 and a manually controlled lever |28 provided with suitable locking mechanism |28, and-the fluid pressure delivery pipe H8 is connected to a fluid pressure actuated motor |30 for actuating the clutch 8.8.

Fluid from the source of supply flows through the valve |14 and pipe line I|8 in the motor |30 resulting in energization of the motor with the consequent actuation of the clutch 88. This ac'- tuation of the clutch 88 locks the drive shaft I0 to the extension 90 on the turbine shaft 28and thereafter, the impeller, the guide wheel, and

turbine rotate as a unit.

It is apparent that the mechanism hereinabove described may be replaced by a Vacuum operated system such as shown in Fig. 3. In the vacuum operated system,.the fluid pressure actuated motor |30 is replaced by a vacuum actuated motor 32 connected as by a pipe line |34 through a valve corresponding to the valve I I4 to the manifold of an engine, noty shown.

The force of the spring |24 and, of course, the time of opening of the valve I I4 is influenced automatically also by inertia of a weight I i0 mountand the rod 66 is withdrawn from slot 80 permitting the guide wheel to rotate freely. n this instance the apparatus functions as a single stage turbo clutch.

Ait still higher speeds, centrifugal'force acting on the weightl '|0on the rod 68 moves the rod 64 by means of cranks 80 and Minto a slot`84 48Ainto position shown in full lines in Fig. 4, sov

that the guide wheel acts as an eflicient impeller of much larger diameter than the original impeller 22. In this instance, the apparatus func- .less power of the governor 92 it takes to open tions as a two-stage turbo clutch. The capacity of the apparatus is increased, circulation of fluid decreased, and consequently emciency increased. Means may be provided for coupling and uncouone desirable 'form of coupling operable at higher" speeds includes a preselective servo clutch indicated generally at 08 is enclosed in the housing 20. 'This clutch connects the disc I4 on the im- .peller shaft I6 to an extension 90 on the shaft 2J8-to effect a direct drive. When so connected, the impeller, the runner, and the guide wheel rotate as a unit;

When the clutch 80 is engaged at a certain predetermined speed, centrifugal force acting on a weight 92 secured to an arm 94 on the turbine shaft 28 as by a pivoI-SS having secured thereon a pinion 98 causes slight rotation of the pinion. This pinion meshes with a rack on a sleeve |00 and this results in shifting the sleeve. A circumferential groove |02 in the sleeve receives Y a lever. |04 .fulcrumed as at |08 ori a fixed support |08 and'y provided with a weight ||0. Ac-

ed on the lever |04. Mounting of the weight |I0 should be such that the higher the acceleration of the motor vehicle, or the steeper the upgrade the vehicelmay be ascending, the more tendency there is for the inertia of the pivoted weight III) to close the valveI I4. Consequently, the valve H4 opens only at higher than normal speeds; hence, direct drive can be effected .at higher speeds only.

The speed of the vehicle at 'which 'direct driv is effected may be changed at'will by the manually operated lever |26 to increase or decrease pressure of the spring |24. The grater the pressure of the spring I 24, the lower the car speed must be when. centrifugal force of the weight 92 overcomes the force 'of areturn spring |36. Further, the greater the oil pressure, the

the'valve ||4 and, consequently, shifting in direct drive occurs early at lower speeds and the vehicle is in direct drive at lower speeds.

A reserve and cooling tank |38, equipped with a coolingwaterjacket |40 supplies fluid to the connecting driving ,and driven element, the

clutch being synchronized and actuated by. power operated from the-engine.

Fig. 5 illustrates a fluid device with van iin.

peller 200 on a shaft 202, a two-stage turbine 204 on a shaft 206 has vanes 208 with balancingv weight 2|0 for thenrststage, and semifree vanes 2|2 and ilxed vans 2|4, a guide wheel '2|8 .vanes 2|8 balanced by weights 220, and a stawith tionary housing 222.

The impellei` and turbine may be vconnected or coupled pneumatically. As shown, plungers 224 actuated by fluid pressure motors l228 located in the wall of the turbine serves to lock the impeller and turbineatogether. The motor 228 is energized by air pressure created in a cylinder 228 by movement of a piston 230 in the cylinder due to pressure on the fluid introduced by centrifugal force through an orifice 23|. The piston 230 floats between the air land the fluid. A passage 232 connects cylinders 228, and the passage 232 has therein a needle valve 234 urged to its seat by a spring 238, and a solenoidA 238 for actuation of the valye. The solenoid 238 consists of an electrical coil238 concentrically mounted on a stem 24| carried by the needle valve 234. When the coil 239 is energized it actuates the stem to remove the needle valve 234 from its seat. When the coil 239`is not energized the spring 238 urges the needle valve 234 to its seat.v The valve 234 opens by means of centrifugal force. Electric current is delivered to the solenoid through a circuit 240 from a contact ring 242; necessary rheostat a manually actuatedswitch, etc. (not shown)A may be conveniently located.

The turbine shaft 208 has a sun gear 244 ini mesh with a planet gear 246 which, in turn; meshes with a ring gear 248 integral with the guide wheel 2| 8. The planet gears 24B are r'otatably mounted on a rotatable planet carrier 250; a one way clutch 252 mounted on-a hub 254 of the housing 222 permits rotation of the planet carrier in the direction of turbine rotation, and inhibits its rotation in the opposite direction.

When starting the motor vehicle or at low speeds and heavy loads, the guide wheel 2|8 revolves in the reverse direction and its turning moment is transferred to the turbine shaft by the planet gears. At high sp'eeds'and light loads, the guide wheel has a tendency torotate in the same direction as the turbine, which is provided for by the one way clutch.

Whenever the speed of theI turbine 204 `decreases, centrifugal pressure on` the circulating iluid diminishes and consequently the air pressure decreases. As pressure on the fluid dethe driving member has a series of lateral studs 3|8 which support the pinions. A driven gear 320 is rigidly secured-to the hub of a clutch drum 322 which in turn is secured to a driven shaft 4The drum 322 has thereon a rotatable sleeve 32'8 supporting a sun gear 328 in mesh with a planet pinion 330; andl a sleeve 232 rotatable on theV sleeve 328 has a sun gear 334 in mesh with another planet gear 338. The sleeve 328 supports a disc 338 provided on its periphery with a section of a turbo clutch 340 and correspondingly, the sleeve 322 is provided on its periphery with a section of a turbo clutch 342. The sectionsof the turbo clutches 3401and 342 `cooperate with a slidable section of a turbo clutch 344 for the purpose of shifting from neutral to low or reverse manually by the operating lezer 346.

By engaging the clutch -344 with the clutch `342, the pinion 334 is substantially stalled and pinion 338 thereafter rolls n pinion 334 and pinion 348 of the group 3| 8 turns gear 320 resulting in slowly turning the vdrum in thev reverse direction. For direct drive, a friction clutch v350 locks the tail shaft 32.4 to the drum 322 and the entire gear mechanism rotates as a unit. `'I'his locking of the tail shaft the drum is accomplished by an automatic governor such as illustrated in Fig. l and hereinabove described. In a similar way, by engaging the clutch 344 with the clutch 340 integral with pinion 328, the pin-.

creases, the air expands and moves the piston:

' 230 to the right. 'I'his results in release of pres'- sure on the fluid in the motor 228 and the springs 258 return the plungers 224 so as to uncoupleI the turbine from the impeller.

An embodiment ofthe mvention'iuustrated in Fig. 6 relates to fluid turbine torque converters ion 328 may be substantially stalled and thereafter planet. pinion 330 rolls on the pinion 328 resulting in a low Speed forward drive.

While this specification has been described in connection with certain speciilc embodiments, the principle involved is susceptible of numerous other applications that will readily occur to persons skilled in the art. The invention is, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the appended claims. f

This application is a continuation-impart of lmy co-pending application entitled Turbine torqueconverter and clutch, flied February 23, |835, Serial No. 7,896, which haseventuated in Patent No. 2,205,794, datedJune .25, 1940.

Having thus described the various features of l the invention, what Ifclaim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

l. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a power plant, a iluid power transmission connected thereto` including a primary means for energizing fluid, a.y secondary means for absorbing energy fromA the ,iluid,'means for coupling the primary and the secondary means activated by a servo mechanism iniluenced by the secondarymeans and by pressure received from the intake manifold of the power plant.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a vehicle having a power plant,

a iluid power transmission connected thereto in- To obtain reverse speed andk emergency low forward speed, a conventional planetary gear transmission 3|0 is combined with the turbine transmission. This reduces the size of "the turbine` torque converter and increases its efficiencyf for the apparatus may be designed for average working conditions and not for extreme conditions. A web 3|? on the turbine shaft 3|4 serves as a carrier :for a group of planet pinions 3|8, and

cluding a primary means for energizing huid,

a secondary means for absorbing energy from the fluid, means for coupling theprimary andv the secondary means actlvatedfby "a servo mechanism" influenced 'by the secondary means and als'o lay pressure'received from the intake manifold "of thev power plant, Vuthe servo mechanism being under the influence of inclination of the vehicle.

3. A fluid power transmission comprising pri- I mary means for energizing fluid, I secondary meansfor absorbing energy from the fluid, a pas- A sage forcirculating fluid provided by the primary and secondary means, means for coupling and vmary means for energizing uncoupling. the primary and secondary means, fluid pressure means for influencing the coupling means, and means influenced by the speed of the secondary means for control of the fluid pressure 4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a motor vehicle, a iluid power transmission including primary means for energizing fluid, secondary means for absorbing energy from the iluid and a passage for circulating fluid provided by the primary and secondary means, and means to couple the primary and secondary means activated by servo mechanism intluenced by acceleration of the vehicle.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a power plant and fluid pressure producing means associated therewith, a primary means for energizing fluid, a secondary means for absorbing energy from the fluid, means for synchronizing the primary and secondary means through Vtorque developed by the power plant, transmitted to the primary means and measured by the pressure on the uid developed by the pressure producing means.

6. A fluid power transmission comprising prifiuid, secondary means for absorbing energy from the uid, guide means for the fluid, and Amechanism connected to the guide means operative by fluid ow reaction for synchronizing the guide means with the primary means.

7. A fluid power transmission comprising a passage for circulation of iluid, a driving vane Wheel, a driven vane wheel, a guide vane wheel, mechanism for coupling the guide vane'wheel to the driven vane wheel automatically under control of the centrifugal force of the speed of the guide wheel.

8. A iiuid power transmission comprising a housing, a passage for circulation of fluid, rotatable driving, driven and guide vane Wheels in the housing, and means for locking the guide vane wheel in both directions to the housing at low speed to one of the vane wheels at high speed automatically under control of operative speeds of the guide vanes.

9.. A uid power transmission comprising a casing, driving, driven and guide blade wheels arranged within the casing for cooperation with one another, a heavy and a light iluid within the casing, means for locking two of the blade wheels together activated by the light fluid automatically under control of the speed of one of the blade wheels while in operation.

10A fluid power transmission comprising a casing, driving, driven and guide blade wheels arranged within the casing for cooperation with one another, alight fluid and a heavy fluid within the casing, means for locking two of the blade Wheels together activated by the light iluid automatically under control of the speed of one of the blade wheels while in operation, the lighter iiuid being energized by the heavier fluid at a predetermined speed.

11. In an apparatus of the class described in combination with a power plant having a pump for producing pressure, a passage for the circulation of fluid, primary means for energization of the fluid, secondary means driven by the fluid, means for coupling the primary and secondary means and iluld pressure activated means utilizing the pressure developed by the pump for control of the coupling means automatically.

JOSEPH J ANDASEK. 

